WEEKLY PRAYERS FROM JERUSALEM
Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem invites you to weekly Online Prayers. Join Zoom Meeting. Time: 06:00 PM (GMT +2) Jerusalem, every week on Thursday.
Please write to prayer@sabeel.org to receive a weekly reminder of this event.
Please use the following time converter to check the time https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com
11th May 2026
Last week, the Palestine marathon was held for the first time in three years in Bethlehem and Gaza. The Palestine marathon is an annual event for many Palestinians locally and around the world, and participants run to tell a different story about Palestine as well as the effect of Israel’s Occupation on Palestinians’ freedom of movement. This year’s marathon was centered on hope. In Gaza, 2,523 people, including 15 amputees, participated in a 5K, determined to live and persevere despite the devastation. In Bethlehem, over 10,000 people ran a 10K along routes hemmed in by checkpoints and the apartheid wall.
Holy God, we thank you for the resilience and efforts of organizers and participants who work to recenter our community on hope and steadfastness. Through this marathon, illuminate to the world our struggle for freedom and liberation. Lord, help us to use our bodies and voices to demand the freedom of all who suffer from injustice.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Thirteen Israeli officials, including three ministers, have called on right wing Israelis to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque in droves on Friday, May 15, to mark the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem. The date also coincides with the anniversary of the Nakba.
God of Justice, we pray that you would embolden those who love peace in Jerusalem and beyond to stand firm against all ideologies of violence and racism. We pray for the day that all may have the right to worship and live freely without dehumanization.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Since March 2, at least 2,846 people have been killed across Lebanon. The death toll includes more than 103 Lebanese medical workers killed and 230 injured in over 130 Israeli strikes. Meanwhile, more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon are expected to face acute hunger this year due to conflict, displacement, and economic pressures amid the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a United Nations‑backed report.
God of the oppressed, you understand the plea of the refugee; you know what it is like to be persecuted by empire. Lord, we look for your presence underneath the rubble and destruction in Lebanon and Gaza. We pray for the healing of the millions displaced and thousands injured. As we continue to cry for justice, help the world act to stop the violence and bloodshed and make peace a reality in our region.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, FOSNA held its first organizing institute in the United States, bringing together returned delegates from Sabeel’s “Come and See, Go and Tell” delegations. Organizing Institutes (OIs) are daylong, in-person gatherings in cities with high concentrations of returned delegates. OIs create connections across delegations and provide space to practice collectively our responsibility to ‘Go and Tell’ and encourage movement momentum. More organizing institutes are planned for the coming months.
Loving Creator, we are reminded of the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit whenever we gather in unity to organize and act in solidarity. Lord, continue to give us strength and creativity as we continue the work for peace and justice. We pray that these organizing institutes will bring about hope and change to all who live in our Land.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Israel deported Global Sumud Flotilla activists Saif Abukeshek and Thiago Avila after being detained for a week for leading an aid flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. They were initially intercepted near Greece waters along with 175 other activists who were sailing on civilian vessels but were the only ones to be kidnapped and detained in Israel. No evidence was provided by Israel, who accused Thiago and Saif of having ties to terrorist organizations. Both Thiago and Saif reported abuse and torture by Israeli soldiers while in detention.
Holy God, we pray for the physical and spiritual healing of Saif and Thiago as they return home to their families and continue their work for freedom and peace. Help us to follow their steadfastness by being brave and creative in our own witness to the people of Gaza.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers
4th May 2026
On February 15, after over three years of harassment and abuse from Israeli authorities since he was 16 years old, Shadi Khoury (Sabeel co-founder Samia Khoury’s grandson) was sentenced to 32 months in prison and a fine equivalent to $3,836 His family then submitted an appeal against the conviction and sentence, along with a request to freeze the order for Shadi to report to prison. On Sunday March 29, 2026, The Supreme Court decided to suspend the implementation of that order and scheduled a hearing on April 16 to review Shadi’s case. On April 16, the hearing was postponed yet again. The hearing will now be held on Monday, May 11th at 9 AM Jerusalem time. While Shadi was able to spend Easter with his family, the postponements continue to keep him in the limbo he has faced across more than 40 court hearings. His family continues to hold onto hope and is grateful for everyone who has supported them during this difficult time.
God of Justice, we pray for Shadi and his family as they endure the injustice of the Israeli court system. We pray for justice, healing, and freedom for the thousands of other young Palestinians suffering under military occupation and apartheid. Lord, embolden us to dismantle all structures of dehumanization and build a world of dignity and peace in their place.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
One Palestinian man was killed and four others seriously wounded, including a 12 year old child, during an Israeli military raid in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, the Palestinian Red Crescent reported. Nayef Firas Ziad Samaro, the man who was senselessly murdered, was only 26, and his body was brought to the hospital where his wife was giving birth.
God of the oppressed, we pray for the family of Nayef Samaro as they grieve. Lord, make your presence known to the countless of other families who are persecuted and executed by empire. As we cry out for you amidst the stench of senseless death and evil, provide us with your justice. Liberate us from oppression and from the structural sins of military occupation.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Last week, Israeli military intercepted 22 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla near the Greek island of Crete and detained their crews who were on the way to Gaza. 36 boats are still sailing towards Gaza, which is under Israeli naval blockade. While most activists were taken to Greece, Israeli forces kidnapped two activists to detain them in Israel. Witnesses reported that the two activists, Spanish citizen Saif Abukeshek and Brazilian citizen Thiago Avila, were both tortured and abused on an Israeli military vessel. Spain along with international human rights organizations are calling for their release.
Holy God, we lift up Saif and Thiago along with many people around the world who have risked lives for the oppressed and marginalized. We pray for their safety and freedom and that their sacrifice will continue to draw attention to the inhumane illegal siege on the people of Gaza. Lord, remind us of our fragility and mortality. In doing so, teach us to preserve the precious gift of life by acting in solidarity with those whose lives and dignity are at risk.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Sabeel’s Online Worship Services continue weekly every Thursday at 6 PM Jerusalem time. These worship services, a time to reflect on scripture through Palestinian Christian eyes, started at the very beginning of Sabeel’s ministry over 30 years ago and continue to this day through local bible studies, weekly staff bible study, and for the last five years, an online gathering that brings together friends of Sabeel around the world. Register at tinyurl.com/sabeelworship.
Holy God, we thank you for the hope and love of the Holy Spirit whenever we gather together as one community. We continue to pray for Sabeel’s staff and community as they continue this ministry. Help us to be agents of your peace in this world.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
May 15th is Nakba Day, a day commemorating the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and loss of over 75% of historical Palestine. For the last 8 decades, Palestinians have experienced what they call the “ongoing Nakba” (or catastrophe) – displacement and dispossession, denial of rights., occupation, apartheid, and now genocide. To reflect on ongoing Nakba, United Church of Christ is hosting a webinar on May 13th with executive director Jonathan Kuttab. He will discuss with the current reality in a context of regional war, genocide and occupation in Palestine, and prospects for peace with justice. To register, visit this link. (http://ucc.org/event/whats-next-rooted-in-faith-and-justice-a-vision-of-liberation-with-jonathan-kuttab/)
Liberator Christ, for many years we have witnessed the ongoing Nakba in Palestine and we continue to cry out for justice and deliverance. In the midst of despair, give us active and steadfast hope like that of the persistent widow who never ceases at the sight of injustice. We continue to pray for the creativity and wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we organize under one struggle for liberation and just peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers
27th April 2026
The Interfaith Action for Palestine (IAP) is bringing together a coalition of faith-rooted activist organizations to counter Christians United for Israel (CUFI) — the largest unconditional “pro-Israel” organization in the United States — during their Annual Summit in July. Last year, IAP mobilized hundreds in Washington, DC to disrupt CUFI’s agenda in powerful and creative ways of nonviolence. This year, interested organizations and groups can get involved by donating or participating in the weekend of action. Those interested can visit www.
God of Justice, we pray for brave prophetic voices internationally who live out the call to “do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) As we confront theologies of domination and violence among all religions, keep us steadfast on humility and love that we may not fall into temptations of pride and self-righteousness. Help us struggle for goodness through sowing seeds of your revolutionary love everywhere we go.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Sabeel is pleased to announce a new resource created by FOSNA’s executive administrator, Jesse Wheeler, a book titled The Bible is Anti-Zionist: 40 Reflections on the Greatest Moral Crisis of Our Time. As the title suggests, this book offers an important collection of short meditations designed to catalyze new ways of responding to the weaponization of the Christian faith and the Bible and ultimately pursue a vision of peace, justice, and liberation. Physical copies are available for purchase, but the resource is also available online as a free download at fosna.org.
Loving Creator, we are reminded of your goodness when we see the actions and creativity of our friends who work to build a better world. We pray that this new resource will better equip churches and individuals to uproot theologies of violence and sow seeds of life and liberation in their place.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Settler-colonial violence continues to escalate in devastating ways in the occupied West Bank. In Masafer Yatta recently, state and settler violence targeting schools, teachers, and students has obstructed over 51 children from reaching their school for at least seven days, prompting a nonviolent protest by young schoolchildren and community members on the right to education. The protest was suppressed by Israeli occupation forces and the youth of Masafer Yatta continue to experience imposed obstacles and restrictions on their education.
Righteous God, you are a God who weeps at the sight of injustice and is with the oppressed even now. We express our indignation at the structural sins of settler-colonialism and racism that normalize the violence done against Palestinians. We pray for justice and deliverance for the people of Masafer Yatta and all communities experiencing displacement and violence. Lord, as long as there is injustice, help us rise up to confront it.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Ceasefire talks continue to be strained between the United States and Iran, and the region lives in fear and anxiety of more war. Meanwhile, despite a three week temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel killed at least four people in southern Lebanon and one Israeli soldier was killed by a drone attack. In Gaza, Israel recently escalated attacks, killing 12 Palestinians across the Strip.
Holy God, you are here among us even as we cry out for deliverance. You do not abandon those who suffer; your presence remains in every place of pain, and your voice still speaks hope and peace into the darkest moments. Open our eyes to see you at work as we struggle for justice and freedom, and strengthen our faith to trust that you walk beside us. Bring an end to violence and to the suffering of all people. Help all understand that peace is more precious than anything we seek, and that the path to true peace is found only through justice.
Lord, in your mercy… hear our prayer.
In a small win for the Church and Christian communities in Tubas, Israeli authorities recently committed to addressing illegal settler encroachments on church land in the Tubas governate, including legal follow up and seizing heavy machinery used for land destruction and damage at church sites. While settler violence and expansion occur daily throughout the West Bank, this concession from Israeli authorities brings a glimpse of hope.
Holy God, we grieve at the many injustices in our land and we are thankful for every step made to improve the situation. We continue to pray for all families and communities undergoing displacement, house demolitions, settler violence, and military occupation.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers
20th April 2026
April 13th marked Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time when people around the world honor the sacred memory of the six million Jews, along with millions of Roma and Sinti, people of Slavic and Polish descent, persons with disabilities, Soviet prisoners of war, Jehovah’s Witnesses, those persecuted for their sexual orientation, and countless other innocent victims who were brutally murdered by the Nazi regime and its allies.
God of compassion and justice, we lift up the families of all Holocaust survivors and remember that genocide is a structural sin that violates the sanctity of life that you have bestowed on us. We ask for hearts around the world to be awakened to ensure the end of all genocides and dehumanizing ideologies that lead to genocide. May we stand together against the evils of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and the dehumanization of Palestinians or any people. Help us build a world rooted in dignity, compassion, and peace for all.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
April 24th is the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire began its systematic genocide of the Armenian people. Today, the Armenian people still face injustices and dispossession, including the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh/ Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijan government and land encroachment of the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem by Israeli settlers.
Divine Creator, you are the God who remembers your people throughout generations (Psalm 105:8), even as the world turns away from the oppressed. We lift up the Armenian people, who have endured unimaginable suffering, and we lament the injustices they still face today. Strengthen those who stand for truth and dignity, and stir the hearts of the world to stand against oppression in every form. May the memory of those who perished call us to defend the living, and may your justice roll down like water for all peoples.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
A new Gaza Freedom Flotilla is setting sail towards Gaza. This time will be the largest coordinated civilian maritime action in history to break Israel’s siege of Gaza, with over 1,000 people around the world joining. The flotilla is setting sail in the backdrop of a near daily bombardment of Gaza by Israel and a blocking of 92% of medical evacuations, despite the so-called ceasefire.
Holy God, we give thanks for brave citizens of the world who teach us what it means to be in solidarity. We pray for the safety of the participants as they seek to break the siege. Lord, when we ask you, “What can we do?”, give us the creativity of the Holy Spirit and power from Christ that our actions may bring about change. We pray for an end to the blockade and siege on Gaza and for true justice and peace to reign for all people.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
April 17 marked Palestinian Prisoners Day, a day commemorating the struggles of Palestinian prisoners inside occupation prisons. This Prisoners Day, over 144 events were held across 19 countries, protesting Israel’s most recent death penalty law and calling for the freedom of over 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners currently held in Israeli prisons.
God of the oppressed, we remember the words of Prophet Isaiah: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed.” (Isaiah 10:1-2) Help us to worship you by resisting unjust policies of incarceration and violence. We pray for the freedom and healing of all political prisoners.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
Pope Leo IV recently marked his first Easter as Pope in his Urbi et Orbi address, called on Christians to fight against “globalization of indifference” toward suffering. Reflecting on the themes of hope and renewal, he appealed to leaders of nations to stop the logic of war and violence and follow Christ’s model rooted in peace and humility. His comments came against the backdrop of ongoing global violence. His address and call for peace were met with vitriol from U.S. leaders, who reportedly threatened the Vatican, leading the Vatican to cancel Pope Leo’s planned visit to the U.S. in 4th of July. The Pope will instead spend July focused on humanitarian treatment of migrants, on the coast of Tunisia where thousands of refugees sail from North Africa to Italy.
God of Hope, we continue to pray for the prophetic witness of church leaders to reject all theologies of domination and instead pursue a vision of your Kingdom rooted in love and justice. In the face of empires that weaponize your name to justify death, grant us the courage of the Holy Spirit to speak truth and act as agents of your peace.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayer
We join the World Council of Churches in their prayers for the people of Belarus, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.
Lord in your mercy…hear our prayers